POLTICAL SCIENCE Major
at Meredith College
As a political science major, you will develop an awareness of the modern world in its many historical and political dimensions. You’ll learn to view other people and cultures objectively as you develop your writing, research, and critical thinking skills.
Our Political Science Major
Through Meredith’s political science program, you will learn to research, analyze, and communicate effectively about different political systems and theories and how each can impact cultures and economies.
You will participate in hands-on learning experiences by observing the state government in action, visiting multiple historic sites and museums, and taking advantage of educational opportunities at international businesses in the nearby Research Triangle Park (RTP).
If you are interested in pursuing a career in law, Meredith has agreements with both Campbell University and Elon University that allow you to save time and money by completing your senior year of undergraduate study and first year of law school simultaneously.
Pre-Law Concentration
- Students that follow this track explore legal issues, sharpen their writing, speaking, and analytical reasoning skills, and develop an understanding of human values in connection with the law.
- Graduates are well-prepared for the LSAT, law school, or a career in law.
- The concentration requires 36 credit hours including
- Twenty-one hours of the core curriculum
- Six hours of required courses for the concentration
- Nine hours of electives from at least two disciplines
Why Study Political Science at Meredith?
- Given Meredith’s location in the capital city of Raleigh, students can gain hands-on experience and be actively involved in state government.
- Political science majors have a choice of internships, as the program receives far more requests for interns than we can fill. Recent placements include
- Washington Office of Representative Robin Hayes – Washington, D.C.
- McDaniel Anderson LLC – Raleigh (law firm)
- Magistrates Court, 10th Judicial District – Raleigh
- Resources for political science students include
- The History and Politics Club, which sponsors various events on and off campus, ranging from trips to Washington, D.C., to movie nights and guest speakers on current topics and issues
- The Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
- Political science students can participate in The Meredith Poll, which asks North Carolinians their opinions on public issues.
- Meredith offers Moot Court for students to gain professional and real-world experience in a courtroom.
- Scholarships available to political science majors include
- The Alice B. Keith Senior Scholarship awards $1,000 to a junior student with the best combination of academic achievement and career goals.
- The Frank and Carolyn Grubbs Scholarship awards $2,000 yearly to a rising senior with the most compelling combination of academic achievement and promise as a teacher.
- A women’s college setting is known to enhance confidence and develop strong leadership and communication skills – all of which will serve students well in competitive environments.
Jobs With a Political Science Degree
Jobs for those with a political science degree include legislative assistant, nonprofit program coordinator, campaign manager, news producer, policy analyst, journalist, lawyer, and more.
Graduates from Meredith are engaged in a range of professional and academic pursuits, including
- Security Studies Program, Georgetown University
- Teacher, Wake County Public Schools
- Project Assistant, Pharmaceutical Product Development
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Triangle Chapter, American Red Cross
- National Federation of Republican Women
- McGuire Woods (lobbying and political consulting)
- Assistant Director of Government Relations, Arc of North Carolina
On average, political science majors make $52,859 a year.
Political Science Videos
Olivia Slack, '22
Experiential learning including studying abroad, leadership roles, and undergraduate research provided Olivia Slack, ’22, with many opportunities to explore her interests while at Meredith College.
Elena Blackwelder, '23
Elena Blackwelder, ’23, worked with her advisor to develop a unique major to fully explore her interests. Find out how she designed her own contract major and why she values a personalized approach to education.
Faculty in Meredith College’s Department of History, Political Science, and International Studies presented a webinar providing history and political context for the conflict in Ukraine on March 9, 2022. The information session was presented by the department and the Meredith College History, International Studies, and Political Science Club.
Honors scholar Elena Blackwelder, ’23, worked with her advisor to develop a unique major to fully explore her interests. Find out how she designed her own contract major and why she values a personalized approach to education.
Madison Gladwell, ’20, embodies what it means to be a student-athlete. A double major in psychology and political science with a concentration in pre-law, she plans to attend law school after graduation.
Mimi Mays, ՚20, has enjoyed a variety of experiences, including studying abroad and participating in Moot Court, which will help prepare her to attend law school.
Political Science News
Nineteen students recently completed the Voices of Change Political Institute, a Meredith College-sponsored program for college women of color. This program built on the foundation of two previous institutes and focused on inspiring young women to consider public service and giving them tools to help them be successful in this venture.
Responses to the most recent Meredith Poll show an increasing majority of North Carolina voters support the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The poll was conducted in partnership with ERA-NC Alliance.
The most recent Meredith Poll, in the field February 3-7, 2023, asked North Carolina voters about their understanding of and confidence in election administration in the state, and about their approval of several key policy issues including abortion, Medicaid expansion, and the legalization of medical marijuana and sports betting.
Contact Information
Angela Robbins
Dept. Chair, International Studies Department
218 Lux Hall
aprobbins@meredith.edu
(919) 760-8825
